Online Graduate Certificates in
Human Development & Family Sciences
Build specialized expertise in a focused area of human development and family sciences — without committing to a full master’s degree. Texas Tech offers four fully online graduate certificates through the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) for professionals ready to advance their careers.
Advance your expertise. Keep your career.
The College of Health & Human Sciences at Texas Tech offers four fully online graduate certificates in human development and family sciences through the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA), a consortium of seven public universities.
Each certificate is designed for working professionals who want focused, graduate-level training in a specific area, from early childhood policy to aging studies to youth program management, without the full commitment of a master’s degree program.
For program cost details, visit idea.edu/students/cost.
Career Paths
Graduates pursue leadership and direct-service roles across social services, healthcare, nonprofit, government, and education settings. Social and community service managers earn a median annual wage of $78,240, with 6% employment growth projected from 2024 to 2034, faster than the national average.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024
Certificate Options
Early Childhood & Family Policy
Empowers professionals committed to advocating for young children and families domestically and internationally. Students develop essential policy skills and explore the intersection of early childhood and family policy across systems including health care, education, family leave, mental health, child abuse and neglect, and more.
Credit Hours: 12
Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue roles as policy analysts, family services coordinators, child welfare advocates, and program directors. Community health workers — a common career path — earn a median annual wage of $51,030, with 11% employment growth projected from 2024 to 2034.
Gerontology
Prepares professionals working directly with older adults or engaged in aging-related education or research. The 15-hour inter-institutional curriculum includes two core courses and three electives offered by IDEA consortium universities.
Credit Hours: 15
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles as geriatric care coordinators, aging services program managers, healthcare social workers, and long-term care administrators. Healthcare social workers specializing in geriatric care earn a median annual wage of $68,090.
Youth Development Specialist
Designed for professionals working with or conducting research on adolescents and young adults. Uses a strengths-based curriculum to build skills for supporting successful transitions into adulthood. The only certificate of its kind offered completely online by an alliance of public universities.
Credit Hours: 12
Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue roles as youth program coordinators, child and family social workers, community outreach specialists, and nonprofit program managers. Social worker employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,000 openings projected each year on average.
Youth Program Management & Evaluation
Prepares professionals to develop, implement, and evaluate youth-serving organizations using a research- and policy-driven, strengths-based approach. The only program of its kind offered fully online through a public university alliance.
Credit Hours: 12
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles as program evaluators, nonprofit directors, youth services managers, and policy analysts. Social and community service managers earn a median annual wage of $78,240, with 6% employment growth projected from 2024 to 2034.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024
Texas Tech’s online graduate certificates in Human Development and Family Sciences are delivered fully online through the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) and are designed for working professionals seeking focused graduate-level credentials.
For program cost information, visit idea.edu/students/cost.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted through the Texas Tech Graduate School online portal.
Apply NowApplication Deadlines
- Fall: May 31
- Spring: Nov. 4
- Summer: March 23 (where applicable)
Questions? Contact ashlee.murden@ttu.edu or download the IDEA Graduate Student Handbook.
Application Deadlines
Fall Start: May 31
Spring Start: Nov. 4
Summer Start: March 23 (where applicable)
Human Development and Family Sciences
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Address
Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41230, Lubbock, TX 79409-1230 -
Phone
806.742.3000 -
Email
hs.webmaster@ttu.edu